Fans gather for special event

Stan Braksick's memory will be visible -- both day and night -- when fans attend McLouth sporting events at the school district's football and track stadium.

At halftime of Friday's game against Wathena, school board member Donnie Edmonds spoke to McLouth fans about Braksick in a ceremony dedicating the complex as Stan Braksick Sports Complex.

A large sign, installed on the back, or south side, of the stadium scoreboard, reads "Stan Braksick Sports Complex." Floodlights also illuminate the sign at night.

"You can't help but notice it," MHS athletics director Tom Pierce said of the sign. "It's a great tribute to a gentleman who basically gave his heart and soul to this town."

Braksick, who owned the Bank of McLouth for roughly 45 years, died last February at the age of 81. His family, including his wife, Fern, son, Bob, and daughter, Kathy Scott, still run the bank in downtown McLouth.

Last spring, Edmonds made the motion that the school board rename the complex after the longtime supporter. He introduced the Braksick family at the ceremony, including Fern Braksick, who spoke during the halftime ceremony.

"I thought our home crowd was really good," Pierce said later. "Most of our crowd stood up there and gave Mrs. Braksick and her family a standing ovation."

Bob Braksick, who said highway road signs directing fans to the stadium also are planned, appreciated the school board's thoughtfulness.

"It's kind of astounding for them to come up with that," Braksick said. "Because that's a very, very high tribute to my father. I would have never expected it.

"And I know he didn't either."

The Bulldogs likely would have made Bob's father proud Friday. McLouth, in its first game at the newly renamed stadium, defeated Wathena, 29-13.